Workshops - Overview

A platform for informal thinking, learning and debate

The 6CP holds two international workshops each year, traditionally in the spring and autumn seasons. The aim of these meetings is to further our understanding of innovation policies and practices and to improve the coordination of efforts in the field, by bringing together experts from various countries, sectors and disciplines to share their insights and experiences and to debate common issues of interest and concern.

The first 6CP workshop dates back to 1976. In the ensuing years, many topics have been covered on relevant and pressing issues of the day. Information about the next workshop and an overview of past workshops can be found below.

6CP member organizations take turns organizing and hosting these events, and coordinating the preparation of background papers and presentations. A special effort is made to balance conceptual issues and empirical case studies, and to attract a wide array of policy-makers and practitioners from both the public and private sectors. Participants take part in these workshops in a personal capacity rather than as formal representatives of their organizations. This creates an atmosphere of informality that stimulates open and candid exchanges of information and views.

The 6CP workshops present ideal opportunities for networking with other leading experts in the field, while sharing perspectives on new developments and best practices. If you are interested in participating in the next workshop or would like further information, please contact a member of the Steering Committee from your country or, if your country is not represented, the Committee chairperson. General information requests can be directed to the 6CP Secretariat

Upcoming Workshop

 15 November 2010, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Exploring the green innovation paradigm
Going green and green innovation had become a major issue on the agenda of companies, public organisations, and governments. The relationship between private sector and the public interest is changing, which does not mean that their interests are coinciding. Moreover, public-private partnerships have become fashionable in innovation policy, in particular in relation to societal challenges. Many recent policy documents recognise this development and policy makers are seeking ways to translate this societal demand into demand driven innovation policies.

It is about time now to review what has been learned about green innovation policy so far and to see if we can detect the shapes of a new "green innovation paradigm", in which public needs and demands for sustainability are combined with competitive forces which companies face in the market. And more in particular we need to address the question if the emerging new paradigm leads to a new model for policy making, which integrates hitherto separated fields of policmaking. The 2010 Six Countries Programme workshop reviews what has been learned, makes an inventory of the present state of the art and will explore directions for future policy development. In doing so it will also reveal opportunities and barriers for "a green innovation paradigm" and gaps in our understanding (new research questions).

 For more information and registration form

• Programme and practical information
• Registration form

 Overview of past workshops

Top of page …

 Most Recent Workshop